Kramer Middle School, which was selected as a GEAR UP grant recipient, is seen in 2022. (Shuran Huang for The Washington Post)Roughly 480 middle-schoolers in D.C.’s most underserved wards will receive college coaching, workshops and scholarships with help from a new $21 million federal grant, city leaders announced.
The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs — or GEAR UP — grant is designed to push more students through high school and toward college. The six-year effort will start in mid-2024, officials said.
Fast, informative and written just for locals. Get The 7 DMV newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. “Through the GEAR UP grant, we will inspire college dreams in the minds of hundreds of D.C. middle school students furthest from opportunity and provide the coaching support they need through high school and the financial support they need after high school to make their college dreams a reality,” said Christina Grant, the city’s superintendent of education. headtopics.com
D.C. was one of six jurisdictions throughout the country to receive a state grant this year. The federal money will help 22,000 students across those districts.The Education Department grant will also fund college tours, family workshops on topics such as financing, and $22,000 in scholarships per child. Students who are selected to participate will get academic and socio-emotional counseling from coaches at the D.C.
Gregory Spears, principal of Blow Pierce Middle School, noted that students will have college scholarships before they even enter high school. He hopes it will help students and families “recommit” to school, and ultimately drive attendance.“To me, that is just, that’s unprecedented,” he said in an interview. “I think that having that option for our students will increase buy-in from our families.”Across the city, D.C. has seen recent gains in its high school graduation rates. headtopics.com